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Giants hoping treatment can keep Sandoval off DL

Giants hoping treatment can keep Sandoval off DL

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Pablo Sandoval

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SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants have deferred a decision regarding Pablo Sandoval's immediate future until Friday, hoping that two days of intensive treatment can heal the third baseman's strained left hamstring enough to help him avoid the disabled list.

Thursday's scheduled off-day prolongs the Giants' evaluation period for Sandoval, who hurt himself Tuesday night while stretching for a throw as he played first base. Sandoval underwent an MRI Wednesday that confirmed his injury.

Sandoval admitted, "I'm just trying to hang in there," adding that his hamstring was "still a little sore." But he estimated his chances of missing only a few games and skirting the DL as "100 percent."

Nevertheless, Giants manager Bruce Bochy said, "You do have to be careful with these hamstrings. You don't want any setbacks, obviously. At the same time, if he makes a lot of improvement over the next two days and looks like he could be a week, then we could keep him off the DL possibly. But that call will made Friday."

Sandoval's batting .299 with eight home runs and 33 RBIs in 62 games. The two-time All-Star missed 35 games earlier this season with a fractured left hamate bone and the subsequent surgery.

Bochy acknowledged the impact of Sandoval's absence. "We're more of a speed-type club that finds a way to scratch and claw for runs. Still, you need somebody to drive them in," Bochy said.